How do I split or merge my Blackboard course?
As of Summer 2025, Blackboard shells will be available for all courses listed in the UMBC Schedule of Classes (SOC), regardless of designation as lecture, lab, etc or instructor assignment. RT requests are no longer needed for research, independent study, or practicum courses. As new course sections are added to the SOC by Department Scheduling Coordinators, corresponding Bb shells are automatically generated overnight.
To ensure your merge request is processed before the first day of class, please submit your RT at least one week before the semester starts. Merge requests cannot be processed after the 10th day of the semester.
It is not possible to automate merge requests for shells from semester to semester. Instructors must submit new requests every semester.
Tell Me
Why Do I See More Than One Blackboard Course Shell?
Instructors who teach multiple sections of the same course will see a separate Blackboard course shell for each section or course component. Courses will no longer be merged by default. Instructors planning to use split shells will no longer need to submit an RT request.
Request a Merge
Course shells may be merged upon request via RT ticket, which we recommend submitting at least one week before the semester starts, if not as soon as courses are created in Blackboard. NOTE: Courses should not be merged or split after student grade data and engagement activity is recorded since it will be purged as part of the split/merge process.
Show Me
The following Panopto video reviews how to submit a course merge or split request.